Method of containing a botanical item

Abstract

A plant packaging system and method comprising a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a potted plant or a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. The protective upper portion can be detached from the lower portion of the package system once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve may be provided without a detachable upper portion. The lower portion may have a skirt portion which has a non-linear upper peripheral edge. The lower portion may be tapered and may have a gusset in the lower end.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of containing a botanical item, comprising: 
       providing a tubular sleeve comprising a lower portion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface, and an inner retaining space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the lower portion initially having a flattened state which is converted to an open state for receiving the growing medium and botanical item and having an opening formed through the upper end in communication with the inner retaining space, the lower portion having a tapered shape and having a gusset in the lower end in the flattened state which is openable for forming a closed bottom in the lower portion when converted to the open state, and  
       an upper portion connected to the lower portion and detachable therefrom via a detaching element;  
       providing a growing medium and a botanical item;  
       disposing the growing medium and botanical item into the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the tubular sleeve without a pot; and  
       separating the upper portion of the tubular sleeve from the lower portion by detaching the upper portion along the detaching element forming an edge along the upper end of the lower portion.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the detaching element is selected from the group consisting of perforations, tear strips, and zippers. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as comprising an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the gusset in the lower portion is inwardly folded. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is adapted to support the sleeve from a wicket. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve has a drainage hole therein. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is sized to substantially surround and encompass a bloom portion of the botanical item. 
     
     
       12. A method containing a botanical item, comprising: 
       providing a tubular sleeve comprising a lower portion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface and an inner retaining space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the lower portion initially having a flattened state which is converted to an open state for receiving the growing medium and botanical item and having an opening formed through the upper end in communication with the inner retaining space, the lower portion having a tapered shape and having a gusset in the lower end in the flattened state which is openable for forming a closed bottom in the lower portion when converted to the open state, and  
       an upper portion connected to the lower portion and detachable therefrom via a detaching element;  
       separating the upper portion of the tubular sleeve from the lower portion portion by detaching the upper portion along the detaching element forming an edge along the upper end of the lower portion;  
       providing a growing medium and a botanical item; and  
       disposing the growing medium and botanical item in the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the tubular sleeve without a pot.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the detaching element is selected from the group consisting of perforations, tear strips, and zippers. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as comprising an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the gusset in the lower portion is inwardly folded. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is adapted to support the sleeve from a wicket. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve has a drainage hole therein. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 12  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is sized to substantially surround and encompass a bloom portion of the botanical item. 
     
     
       23. A method of containing a botanical item, comprising: 
       providing a tubular sleeve comprising a lower portion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface and an inner retaining space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the lower portion initially having a flattened state which is converted to an open state for receiving the growing medium and botanical item and having an opening formed through the upper end in communication with the inner retaining space, the lower portion having a tapered shape and having a gusset in the lower end in the flattened state which is openable for forming a closed bottom in the lower portion when converted to the open state, and  
       an upper portion connected to the lower portion and detachable therefrom via a detaching element;  
       providing a growing medium and a botanical item;  
       disposing the growing medium and botanical item in the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the tubular sleeve without a pot; and  
       separating the upper portion of the tubular sleeve from the lower portion by detaching the upper portion along the detaching element forming a non-linear edge along the upper end of the lower portion.  
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the detaching element is selected from the group consisting of perforations, tear strips, and zippers. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as comprising an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the gusset in the lower portion is inwardly folded. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is adapted to support the sleeve from a wicket. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve has a drainage hole therein. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 23  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is sized to substantially surround and encompass a bloom portion of the botanical item. 
     
     
       34. A method of containing a botanical item, comprising: 
       providing a tubular sleeve comprising a lower portion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface and an inner retaining space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the lower portion initially having a flattened state which is converted to an open state for receiving the growing medium and botanical item and having an opening formed through the upper end in communication with the inner retaining space, the lower portion having a tapered shape and having a gusset in the lower end in the flattened state which is openable for forming a closed bottom in the lower portion when converted to the open state, and  
       an upper portion connected to the lower portion  
       and detachable therefrom via a detaching element;  
       separating the upper portion of the tubular sleeve from the lower portion by detaching element forming a non-linear edge along the upper end of the lower portion;  
       providing a growing medium and a botanical item; and  
       disposing the growing medium and botanical portion of the tubular sleeve without a pot.  
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the detaching element is selected from the group consisting of perforations, tear strips, and zippers. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as comprising an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element. 
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the gusset in the lower portion is inwardly folded. 
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is adapted to support the sleeve from a wicket. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve has a drainage hole therein. 
     
     
       44. The method of  claim 34  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is sized to substantially surround and encompass a bloom portion of the botanical item. 
     
     
       45. A method of containing a botanical item, comprising: 
       providing a tubular sleeve comprising a lower portion having an upper end, a lower end, an inner peripheral surface, an outer peripheral surface and an inner retaining space defined by the inner peripheral surface, the lower portion initially having a flattened state which is converted to an open state for receiving the growing medium and botanical item and having an opening formed through the upper end in communication with the inner retaining space, the lower portion having a tapered shape and having a gusset in the lower end in the flattened state which is openable for forming a closed bottom in the lower portion when converted to the open state, and  
       an upper portion connected to the lower portion  
       and detachable therefrom via a detaching element;  
       providing a growing medium and a botanical item; and  
       disposing the growing medium and botanical item in the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the tubular sleeve without a pot.  
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.1 mil to about 30 mils. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 0.5 mil to about 10 mils. 
     
     
       48. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material having a thickness in a range of from about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
       49. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing a tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of treated or untreated paper, metal foil, polymer film, non-polymer film, cardboard, fiber, cloth, burlap, and laminations or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       50. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the detaching element is selected from the group consisting of perforations, tear strips, and zippers. 
     
     
       51. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve is further defined as comprising an extended portion for serving as a handle or support element. 
     
     
       52. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the gusset in the lower portion is inwardly folded. 
     
     
       53. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is adapted to support the sleeve from a wicket. 
     
     
       54. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the tubular sleeve has a drainage hole therein. 
     
     
       55. The method of  claim 45  wherein in the step of providing the tubular sleeve, the upper portion is sized to substantially surround and encompass a bloom portion of the botanical item.